U.S. patent application number 13/789118 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-01 for power start-up device and power start-up method.
This patent application is currently assigned to INVENTEC CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is INVENTEC CORPORATION, INVENTEC (PUDONG) TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Chia-Hsiang Chen.
Application Number | 20140122905 13/789118 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50548605 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140122905 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Chia-Hsiang |
May 1, 2014 |
POWER START-UP DEVICE AND POWER START-UP METHOD
Abstract
A power start-up device and a power start-up method are
provided, wherein the power start-up device comprises a detecting
module, a status control module, a prompt module and a power
management module. The detecting module is used for detecting a
power actuating signal caused by a power switch. The status control
module is coupled to the detecting module, for receiving the power
actuating signal, and determining a number of times of pressing the
power switch and a period of pressing the power switch, in order to
generate a prompt adjustment signal and a power control signal. The
prompt module is coupled to the status control module, for
receiving the prompt adjustment signal in order to send out and
transform a user prompt signal. The power management module is
coupled to the status control module, for controlling a power
supply of a computer system according to the power control
signal.
Inventors: |
Chen; Chia-Hsiang; (Taipei,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INVENTEC (PUDONG) TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
INVENTEC CORPORATION |
Shanghai
Taipei |
|
CN
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
INVENTEC CORPORATION
Taipei
TW
INVENTEC (PUDONG) TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
Shanghai
CN
|
Family ID: |
50548605 |
Appl. No.: |
13/789118 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
713/300 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
713/300 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/26 20060101
G06F001/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 30, 2012 |
CN |
201210422486.9 |
Claims
1. A power start-up device, adapted to a computer system, and
comprising: a detecting module, for detecting a power actuating
signal caused by a power switch; a status control module, coupled
to the detecting module, for receiving the power actuating signal
to determine a number of times of pressing the power switch and a
period of pressing the power switch, to generate a prompt
adjustment signal and a power control signal; a prompt module,
coupled to the status control module, for receiving the prompt
adjustment signal to send out and transform a user prompt signal;
and a power management module, coupled to the status control
module, for controlling a power supply of the computer system
according to the power control signal.
2. The power start-up device according to claim 1, when the power
actuating signal is enabled for a period which does not exceed a
first pressing time, the status control module in a first prompt
period generates and transmits the prompt adjustment signal in a
first mode to the prompt module, and detects whether the power
actuating signal is enabled, so as to enable the power control
signal.
3. The power start-up device according to claim 2, when the power
actuating signal is not enabled in the first prompt period, the
status control module in a second prompt period generates and
transmits the prompt adjustment signal in a second mode to the
prompt module, and detects whether the power actuating signal is
enabled, so as to enable the power control signal.
4. The power start-up device according to claim 3, when the power
actuating signal is not enabled in the second prompt period, the
status control module resets the prompt adjustment signal and
restores the prompt adjustment signal to an initial status before
the first prompt period.
5. The power start-up device according to claim 1, further
comprising: a startup controlling module, coupled to the detecting
module and the power management module, for receiving the power
actuating signal, taking the power actuating signal as the power
control signal, and transmitting the power control signal to the
power management module; and a switching unit, coupled to the
detecting module, the status control module and the startup
controlling module, for transmitting the power actuating signal to
the status control module or the startup controlling module
according to a mode selecting signal.
6. A power start-up method, adapted to a computer system, and
comprising: detecting a power actuating signal caused by a power
switch; determining a number of times of pressing the power switch
and a period of pressing the power switch, according to the power
actuating signal, so as to generate a prompt adjustment signal and
a power control signal; sending out and transforming a user prompt
signal according to the prompt adjustment signal; and controlling a
power supply of the computer system according to the power control
signal.
7. The power start-up method according to claim 6, wherein the step
of generating the prompt adjustment signal and the power control
signal according to the power actuating signal, comprises: enabling
the power control signal when a period of enabling the power
actuating signal exceeds a first pressing time.
8. The power start-up method according to claim 6, wherein the step
of generating the prompt adjustment signal and the power control
signal according to the power actuating signal, comprises:
generating and transmitting the prompt adjustment signal in a first
mode in a first prompt period so as to transform the user prompt
signal into the first mode, when a period of enabling the power
actuating signal does not exceed a first pressing time; and
detecting whether the power actuating signal being enabled in the
first prompt period in order to enable the power control
signal.
9. The power start-up method according to claim 8, wherein the step
of generating the prompt adjustment signal and the power control
signal according to the power actuating signal, further comprises:
generating and transmitting the prompt adjustment signal in a
second mode in a second prompt period so as to transform the user
prompt signal into the second mode, when the power actuating signal
is not enabled in the first prompt period; detecting whether the
power actuating signal is enabled in the second prompt period, so
as to enable the power control signal; and resetting the prompt
adjustment signal and restoring the prompt adjustment signal to an
initial status before the first prompt period, when the power
actuating signal is not enabled in the second prompt period.
10. The power start-up method according to claim 6, further
comprising: receiving a mode selecting signal; determining a number
of times of pressing the power switch and a period of pressing the
power switch, according to the power actuating signal so as to
generate the prompt adjustment signal and the power control signal
when the mode selecting signal is enabled; and taking the power
actuating signal as the power control signal to directly control
the power supply of the computer system, when the mode selecting
signal is disabled.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This non-provisional application claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 201210422486.9
filed in China on Oct. 30, 2012, the entire contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
[0003] The disclosure relates to a computer device and more
particularly to a power start-up device and its power start-up
method of a computer system.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In a present computer system (e.g. a personal computer or a
server system) design, a control circuit is used for detecting
whether the power switch is turned on, so that through the power
switch users can directly control whether power is supplied to the
computer system. Generally, when the computer is under a standby or
shutdown status, a user can press the power switch to wake up the
power supply for supplying power. When the computer is turned on,
the user can shut down the computer by pressing the power switch
again.
[0006] However, when the user is using the computer, the power
switch may be pressed accidentally to cause the computer shut down
unexpectedly. It is risky for the computer system management and
even causes serious damages to the software and hardware in the
computer, so that the computer may not be able to restart again. In
some computer systems, another startup switch is disposed for
performing double confirmations, or complicated structures are used
for compose the power switch, in order to avoid that the power
switch is pressed accidentally. However, it is inconvenient for the
user to operate the computer system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The disclosure relates to a power start-up device is adapted
to a computer system. The power start-up device comprises a
detecting module, a status control module, a prompt module and a
power management module. The detecting module is used for detecting
a power actuating signal caused by a power switch. The status
control module is coupled to the detecting module, for receiving
the power actuating signal to determine a number of times of
pressing the power switch and a period of pressing the power
switch, so as to generate a prompt adjustment signal and a power
control signal. The prompt module is coupled to the status control
module, for receiving the prompt adjustment signal to send out and
transform a user prompt signal. The power management module is
coupled to the status control module, for controlling a power
supply of the computer system according to the power control
signal.
[0008] In an embodiment of the disclosure, when the power actuating
signal is enabled for a period which does not exceed a first
pressing time, the status control module in a first prompt period
generates and transmits the prompt adjustment signal in a first
mode to the prompt module, and detects whether the power actuating
signal is enabled, so as to enable the power control signal.
[0009] In an embodiment of the disclosure, when the power actuating
signal is not enabled in the first prompt period, the status
control module in a second prompt period generates and transmits
the prompt adjustment signal in a second mode to the prompt module,
and detects whether the power actuating signal is enabled, so as to
enable the power control signal.
[0010] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the power start-up
device further comprises a startup controlling module and a
switching unit. The startup controlling module is coupled to the
detecting module and the power management module, for receiving the
power actuating signal, taking the power actuating signal as the
power control signal, and transmitting the power control signal to
the power management module. The switching unit is coupled to the
detecting module and the status control module, for transmitting
the power actuating signal to the status control module or the
startup controlling module according to a mode selecting
signal.
[0011] The disclosure relates to a power start-up method is adapted
to a computer system. The power start-up method comprises following
steps. A power actuating signal caused by a power switch is
detected. A number of times of pressing the power switch and a
period of pressing the power switch are determined, according to
the power actuating signal so as to generate a prompt adjustment
signal and a power control signal. A user prompt signal is sent out
and transformed according to the prompt adjustment signal. A power
supply of the computer system is controlled according to the power
control signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The disclosure will become more fully understood from the
detailed description given herein below for illustration only, and
thus does not limit the disclosure, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a power start-up
device according to a first embodiment of the disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a power start-up method according
to the first embodiment of the disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the power start-up
device according to a second embodiment of the disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the power start-up method
according to the second embodiment of the disclosure; and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the power start-up method
according to a third embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] In the following detailed description, for purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It
will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be
practiced without these specific details. In other instances,
well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order
to simplify the drawing.
[0019] When a computer system is operating, the power switch may be
pressed accidentally by a user to cause the computer system to be
turned off unexpectedly. Even though by disposing another startup
switch to perform double confirmations to shut down the computer
system, it can reduce a probability the computer system being
turned off accidentally due to the accidental pressing of the power
switch, additional control circuits have to be designed to support
such a method which will increase the costs. Therefore, in the
disclosure, a number of times and a length of time the power switch
is being pressed are both taken into considerations for confirming
whether the user is turning off the computer system purposely or
accidentally, when the power switch is pressed, in order to reduce
a probability the computer system is being turned off
accidentally.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a power start-up
device 110 according to a first embodiment of the disclosure. The
power start-up device 110 comprises a power switch 120, a detecting
module 130, a status control module 140, a prompt module 150 and a
power management module 160. The power start-up device 110 can be
adapted to a computer system. The computer system is, for examples,
a laptop, a personal computer, a server, a tablet computer or a
workstation, etc., or any electronic device with a power supply
controlled by pressing the power switch. The detecting module 130
is coupled to the power switch 120, for detecting a power actuating
signal caused by the power switch 120. The power start-up device
110 can be embodied through a programmable logic device (PLD) on a
motherboard of the computer system. But it should not be construed
as a limitation to the embodiments of the disclosure. The power
switch 120 is a switch disposed on a case carrying the motherboard
of the computer system, for controlling the power supply of the
computer system.
[0021] The status control module 140 is coupled to the detecting
module 130, for receiving the power actuating signal and according
to the power actuating signal, determining a number of times of
pressing the power switch 120 and a period of pressing the power
switch 120, so as to generate a prompt adjustment signal and a
power control signal.
[0022] The prompt module 150 is coupled to the status control
module 140, for receiving the prompt adjustment signal, and sending
out and transforming a user prompt signal according to the prompt
adjustment signal. The user prompt signal is a variation of sound
from the computer system, or a variation of light signal shown on
the computer system. The power management module 160 is coupled to
the status control module 140, for controlling the power supply of
the computer system according to the power control signal.
[0023] When the detecting module 130 detects that the power switch
120 is enabled, the status control module 140 adjusts the
operations of the prompt module 150 and the power management module
160 according to the current system status. For example, when the
system is under an initial status (i.e. the status which the power
actuating signal has not appeared after the system booting is
complete), and when the detecting module 130 detects that the power
switch 120 is pressed, the status control module 140 determines the
corresponding period of pressing the power switch 120, according to
the current power actuating signal.
[0024] When the period of pressing the power switch 120 does not
exceed a first pressing time (e.g. one second), because the period
of pressing the power switch 120 is shorter than the first pressing
time of one second, the current condition of the power switch 120
may be regarded as an accidental pressing by the status control
module 140. Herein, in order to confirm whether the computer system
should be turned off, or to conform whether the current condition
represents the accidental pressing, the status control module 140
in a first prompt period (e.g. five seconds) generates and
transmits the prompt adjustment signal in a first mode to the
prompt module 150. A period of the first prompt period can be set
by the user or by the manufacturer of the power start-up device
110. The prompt module 150 can adjust the prompt signal according
to the prompt adjustment signal.
[0025] The prompt module 150 can be embodied through a light
emitting diode display module. Therefore, the user can notice the
prompt signal through the light emitting condition of the light
emitting diodes. The first mode can be a preset frequency (e.g. 60
Hz) of the light emitting diode flashing. In other words, the
prompt adjustment signal in the first mode can control the prompt
signal to become an adjustment signal of the light emitting diode
light signal having a specific flashing frequency.
[0026] If an accidental pressing of the power switch 120 causes the
power actuating signal, the prompt module 150 sends out the prompt
signal in the first mode (e.g. the flashing signals of the light
emitting diode) to notify the user, who presses the power switch
120 accidentally, to immediately keep away from the power switch
120.
[0027] When the detecting module 130 in the first prompt period,
for example, five seconds, detects once again that the power
actuating signal is enabled, that is, the power switch 120 is
pressed twice in the first prompt period, the status control module
140 determines that the computer system is commanded to shut down,
according to the adjacent two power actuating signals. Therefore,
the status control module 140 enables the power control signal and
sends the power control signal to the power management module 160
in order to shut down the computer system by interrupting the power
supply of the computer system. The adjacent two power actuating
signals are respectively the previous power actuating signal caused
by pressing the power switch 120 for less than the first pressing
time, and the current power actuating signal caused in the first
prompt period.
[0028] When the power actuating signal is not detected again in the
first prompt period (for example, five seconds), the status control
module 140 generates and transmits the prompt adjustment signal in
a second mode to the prompt module 150 in a second prompt period
(e.g. the next five seconds) after the first prompt period is
end.
[0029] The prompt adjustment signal in the second mode is, for
example, an adjustment signal which can transform the prompt signal
to the light emitting diode light signal with another flashing
frequency (e.g. 120 Hz) different from the flashing frequency in
the first mode. In this embodiment, as comparing with the first
mode prompt adjustment signal, the second mode prompt adjustment
signal is displayed more urgently, so that the user can distinctly
distinguish the first mode from the second mode.
[0030] Similarly, when the detecting module 130 detects once again
that the power actuating signal is enabled, the status control
module 140 determines that the computer system is commanded to shut
down, through the adjacent two power actuating signals (i.e. the
previous power actuating signal caused by pressing the power switch
120 for less than the first pressing time, and the current power
actuating signal in the second prompt period). Therefore, the
status control module 140 enables the power control signal and
sends the power control signal to the power management module 160
in order to shut down the computer system by interrupting the power
supply of the computer system.
[0031] In contrast, when the status control module 140 in the
second prompt period does not detect again that the power actuating
signal is enabled, the status control module 140 considers that the
single enabled power actuating signal, which the pressing time does
not exceed the first pressing time, is merely generated by the
accidental pressing. Therefore, the status control module 140
further resets the prompt adjustment signal to control the prompt
signal of the prompt module 150 to restore to an initial status
before the first prompt period.
[0032] Therefore, through the status control module 140 and the
prompt module 150, multiple confirmations can be achieved when the
power switch 120 is pressed, so to avoid that the computer system
is shut down unexpectedly because of the accidental pressing.
[0033] In the disclosure, the first pressing time, the first prompt
period, the second prompt period, the first mode and the second
mode can be set by the user or by the manufacturer of the power
start-up device 110.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a power start-up method according
to the first embodiment of the disclosure. Please refer to FIGS. 1
and 2 at the same time. In step S210, the detecting module 130
detects the power actuating signal caused by the power switch 120.
In step S220, the status control module 140 determines a number of
times of pressing the power switch 120 and a period of pressing the
power switch 120, according to the power actuating signal so as to
generate the prompt adjustment signal and the power control signal.
In step S230, the prompt module 150 sends out and transforms the
user prompt signal according to prompt adjustment signal. In step
S240, the power management module 160 controls the power supply of
the computer system according to the power control signal. Other
embodied details can be referred to in the above embodiment and
therefore will not be described herein again.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a power start-up
device 310 according to a second embodiment of the disclosure. The
difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment is
that the power start-up device 310 further comprises a startup
controlling module 380 and a switching unit 370. The startup
controlling module 380 is coupled to the detecting module 130 and
the power management module 160, for receiving the power actuating
signal, transforming the power actuating signal to the power
control signal, and transmitting the power control signal to the
power management module 160. The startup controlling module 380 is,
for example, a control and detection module, such as a southbridge
control chip. A power actuating signal appears when the computer
system is shut down, and this power actuating signal is considered
as an actuating signal generated by the startup of the computer
system. Herein, the detecting module 130 sends the power actuating
signal to the startup controlling module 380 directly, and the
startup controlling module 380 notifies the power management module
160 to boot the computer system.
[0036] The switching unit 370 is coupled to the detecting module
130, the status control module 140 and the startup controlling
module 380. The switching unit 370 determines whether to transmit
the power actuating signal to the status control module 140 or to
the startup controlling module 380, according to a mode selecting
signal. The mode selecting signal is, for example, a signal
transmitted to the switching unit 370 from a baseboard management
controller (BMC) (not shown in the drawing) disposed outside the
power start-up device 310, and is used for switching whether the
power actuating signal is transmitted through the startup
controlling module 380 directly to the power management module 160,
or is transmitted through the status control module 140 to the
power management module 160.
[0037] In other words, the transmission path of the switching unit
370 can be switched through the mode selecting signal. When the
computer system is turned on and when the power actuating signal is
received, the power start-up device 310 can shut down the computer
system directly or transmit the power actuating signal to the
status control module 140. When receiving the power actuating
signal, to the status control module 140 determines whether an
accidental pressing occurs, according to the power actuating
signal.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a power start-up method according
to the second embodiment of the disclosure. Please refer to FIGS. 3
and 4 at the same time. In step S410, the detecting module 130
detects the power actuating signal caused by the power switch 120.
In step S420, the status control module 140 determines whether the
period of enabling the power actuating signal exceeds a first
pressing time. When the period of enabling the power actuating
signal exceeds the first pressing time, the power control signal is
enabled (step S480) after the step S420, in order to shut down the
computer system. When the period of enabling the power actuating
signal does not exceed the first pressing time, the status control
module 140 in the first prompt period generates and transmits the
prompt adjustment signal in a first mode to the prompt module 150
(step S430) after the step S420.
[0039] In step S440, the status control module 140 detects whether
the power actuating signal is enabled in the first prompt period.
When the power actuating signal is enabled, the power control
signal is enabled (step S480) after the step S440, in order to shut
down the computer system. In contrast, when the power actuating
signal is not enabled, the status control module 140 generates and
transmits the second mode prompt adjustment signal to the prompt
module 150 in the second prompt period (step S450) after the step
S440. In step S460, the status control module 140 detects whether
the power actuating signal is enabled, in the second prompt period.
When the power actuating signal is enabled, the power control
signal is enabled (step S480) after the step S460, in order to shut
down the computer system. When the power actuating signal is not
enabled yet, the status control module 140 resets the prompt
adjustment signal (step S470) after the step S460, so as to restore
the prompt adjustment signal to an initial status before the first
prompt period. In step S480, the status control module 140 enables
the power control signal and transmits the enabled power control
signal to the power management module 160 in order to shut down the
computer system.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a power start-up method according
to a third embodiment of the disclosure. Please refer to FIGS. 3
and 5 at the same time. In step S510, the switching unit 370
receives the mode selecting signal. In step S520, it is performed
to determine the mode selecting signal is enabled. When the mode
selecting signal is enabled, the detecting module 130 detects the
power actuating signal of the power switch 120 (step S530) after
the step S520. When the mode selecting signal is not enabled (i.e.
disabled), the startup controlling module 380 transforms the power
actuating signal to the power control signal after the step S520,
in order to control the power supply of the computer system
directly (step S570).
[0041] In step S540, the status control module 140 determines a
number of times of pressing the power switch 120 and the period of
pressing the power switch 120, according to the power actuating
signal, in order to generate the prompt adjustment signal and the
power control signal. In step S550, the prompt module 150 sends out
and transforms the user prompt signal according to the prompt
adjustment signal. In step S560, the power management module 160
controls the power supply of the computer system according to the
power control signal.
[0042] In the power start-up device and its power start-up method
provided by the disclosure, the status control module determines a
number of times of pressing the power switch and the period of
pressing the power switch, so as to determine that the computer
system is commanded to shut down, or that the power switch is
pressed accidentally. Then, the prompt module can notify the user
whether the power switch of the computer system is pressed
purposely or accidentally, so that the user can shut down the
computer system properly, according to a specific number of times
of pressing the power switch and the period of pressing the power
switch. Thus, it may be avoided to press the power switch
accidentally, and the risk for the computer system being shut down
accidentally may be reduced.
* * * * *